The Philadelphia Flyers have over 10 games left in the season, and they still have a chance at making the playoffs. Entering March 24, they are just five points outside of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. As all hockey fans know, anything can happen at the end of the season, and it's entirely possible that the Flyers can find a way to sneak into the postseason.
If the Flyers are to make it into the playoffs, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen would bring an end to his career-long playoff drought. As of March 24, Ristolainen has gone 808 games without making it to the playoffs, which is now the longest among all active NHL players. And it's set to hold the lead by a significant margin, especially with the likes of the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks set to end their playoff droughts.
Rasmus Ristolainen could lead active NHL players without a playoff appearance by significant margin
Ristolainen has played in the NHL since the 2013-14 season when he was drafted eighth overall by the Sabres. In his eight years with the Sabres, he played 542 games with no playoff berths to show for it. Of course, that was in the midst of the Sabres' long playoff drought.
Other Sabres players, such as defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and forward Tage Thompson, were part of the team's long playoff-less streak. Now, they are on a Sabres team with 95 points through 71 games, in first place in the Atlantic Division, and are on pace to end their 14-season playoff drought.
Another player who is high up on the list of active players without a playoff appearance is Troy Terry of the Ducks. Terry made his NHL debut during the 2017-18 season, which is when the Ducks last made the playoffs. Terry wasn't part of the playoff roster. As of this writing, he has gone 477 games without a playoff appearance. The Ducks are currently in first place in a bad Pacific Division, but with 82 points through 70 games, they feel like locks to make the playoffs.
The Flyers floated Ristolainen at the trade deadline, with playoff contenders such as the Sabres and Detroit Red Wings linked to the defenseman. If those went through, he would have likely seen his playoff drought end. Ultimately, the Flyers had a high asking price for Ristolainen, with no teams biting. Thus, the Flyers kept Ristolainen for the remainder of the season.
The Flyers have over 10 games left. We'll see if they can single-handedly end Ristolainen's playoff drought, or if it will continue heading into next season.